March 29, 2024

National Child and Adult Care Food Program week is March 17-23

The primary goal of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is to serve nutritious meats to children attending child care homes and centers. Secondary goals are the establishment of positive eating habits at the earliest stages of development, reduction of future health care and education costs due to lack of proper early development and training and support of local child care personnel. Research also indicates CACFP Is one important factor in providing quality child care.

During National CACFP Week, Union County Extension Office, an Iowa based nonprofit sponsor of the CACFP joins with Union County family child care providers in acknowledging the many ways our community benefits from the CACFP.

Children that are cared for by providers participating in the CACFP benefit by being fed nutritious USDA regulated meals that ensure their proper development. These children gain from early nutrition education that helps them establish positive eating habits. that will enrich the quality of their diet throughout their life.

Parents of children in child care are assured their children receive high quality meals. With proper nutrition, the child is less likely to experience illness and fatigue and will develop at a normal physical and intellectual pace. Good nutrition is the recipe for an all-around happier child.

Providers receive nutrition education and support services from their CACFP sponsor that help them serve nutritious meals and create a positive eating environment for children. The quality of child care provided in our community is improved due to educational and financial resources available to caregivers through the CACFP.

This program provides approximately 2 billion meals and snacks to more than 4.4 million children daily in child care centers, family care homes and after-school programs, more than 115,000 elderly persons in adult day care; more than 62,000 child care centers; 115,000 family child care providers working with 800 sponsors use CACFP to provide children with high quality nutrition and learning experiences.

The Union County office currently sponsors 33 home daycare providers in the counties of Union, Adair, Adams, Ringgold and Taylor. Join them in honoring all CACFP providers for the invaluable work done.

For questions or information, contact Tammy James, CACFP coordinator, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach/Union County at tammyj@iastate.edu or 641-782-8426.